You didn’t want your fathers to go, practically clinging to Johnny’s pant leg like a little koala as Simon packed their things. He stumbled a bit, eventually relenting and sitting on the couch.

“I don’t want you t’go! It’ll be all boring without you n’dad. N’the others are too young to play tag!” You whined, crossing your arms with a pout.

He stifled a small laugh, turning a bit and bringing both of his hands up to cup your face. “We’ll be back before ye know it. I promise we’ll watch that movie ye keep buggin’ us about. Have ourselves a little movie night, yeah?”

“..You promise?”

Johnny’s smile softened a bit as he pulled you into a hug, hardly saying a word at how tight you held onto his shirt. “Of course I do. I’ll even get that sticky candy you and Simon love so much.”

---

He wasn’t too proud to admit that he had almost cried when they pulled up to his mother’s house, but he could feel the lump in his throat that made it a bit hard to swallow.

Johnny helped you unbuckle, holding your hand as the two of you walked up the driveway with Simon closely behind. His heart hurt seeing you try not to cry.

He carefully crouched down to your level, pulling you into a tight hug. He shakily exhaled, pressing a kiss to your head. “We’ll be back before ye know it. I promise. Be good for yer nana, ye hear?”

“I don’t want you t’go..”

He shakily exhaled, pulling back to wipe at his eyes a bit. “I don’t want t’go either. But we have to. I love ye, dove.”

“I love you too, papa.”

You had hope.

Your dad’s would never lie to you.

Simon had came back.. alone. Your papa wasn’t with him. He must be in the car with gifts! You had ran over to him the second you spotted him, tightly hugging his legs as best as you could.

“I missed you so much! Is papa in the car? Did he get the movie? Or the weird snacks?”

He heavily sighed, crouching down and softly tugging you close to him. He seemed.. sad? Simon shakily exhaled, trying his best to keep it together.

“I’m so sorry love. Papa isn’t coming back.”